Why do you do what you do?
Notes
Transcript
Why do you do what you do? One aspect of law in a court case is motive. Although it is not required for the jury to find a motive (why someone committed a crime) it still can have effect on the case. Why? Because if there is a motive that makes sense, it can help the jury realize ok they did this. However without a motive, one defense attorney said “A lack of motive in itself may be enough for some jurors even if they have some circumstantial evidence that points to the defendant.” (https://www.jackricelaw.com/blog/why-is-motive-so-to-juries-in-criminal-cases) Motive is important. It can be important in a court case, but is definitely important why we do what we do for the Lord.
Here we are in the Sermon on the Mount. We have gone through the beatitudes, the similtudes, and the law. Jesus is now addressing motivation for what you do. He uses 3 different avenues, giving, fasting, and praying. However the point He makes has broader application. And it is important to understand why you serve. Your motivation, will either make you a hypocrite, or a disciple. Many Christians have the wrong motivation to serve. It is is not for the Lord, but rather for them.
Why do you do what you do?
Is it to be seen of men?
The hypocrites would do all three things, fast, give and pray just to be seen of men. They would be so elaborate and exaggerate that you could not help but notice. That word for seen, is also translated in other passages as shine. They wanted to shine in front of men.
It is so they seem to be spiritual
The reason why it is hypocritical is because, all they care about is the glory. It is not because they care about anything else. If I were to give money, to someone in need, and only cared about the applause. Then if I knew that I would not get a response,
Heathen pray because they think they will be
If you do what you do, just to be seen of men, then people will notice.
There are politicans that are said to be flip, flop. Because they switched positions. If you take someone like President Biden, and see videos of him saying positions, that you would not expect about 20 years ago, and see what he says now. You can realize, he switched just to gain votes. And that is what hypocrites do, is any way they can be seen of men
If you only sing a special, or play the piano, or teach Jr. church, or help out in VBS, only to be seen of men. If you will pray here, but not pray at home. You have your reward.
Why do you do what you do?
Is it to be seen of God?
When you do something, either fast, give or pray. Do it in secret
Jesus says that in the hypocrites cases, none of them are seen by God. Now God sees everything, but it is like when you see something, and dismiss it. But God will notice when a believer does it in secret. The word for see is also translated as behold and take heed, which means it is not just a quick glance but rather a notice.
Also for fasting and praying it is to the Father, not to men.
Also when you do it in secret, you are doing it not to have glory of men, but rather to glorify God. Just like with the seen of men will change, seen of God will not change, because God does not change.
He will reward you openly, which is the same word to be used to make manifest, and appear. Meaning that God will reward you in a way where people will see it.
Do you do what you do to the Lord, or to men?
Why do you do what you do?
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